A life remembered.

"TNT--TODAY, NOT TOMORROW" WAS HIS LIFE MOTTO. ASSOCIATES, EMPLOYEES, FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF GEORGE L. GRAZIADIO, JR. WERE AS ACCUSTOMED TO HEARING HIM SAY IT AS THEY WERE TO WATCHING HIM PRACTICE THE MOTTO IN HIS OWN LIFE.

"IF BETTER IS POSSIBLE, THEN GOOD IS NOT ENOUGH" WAS ANOTHER FAVORITE SAYING. AND, HE DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN BOTH HIS PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIFE.

On June 6, 2002, at age 82, George L. Graziadio passed away, leaving a legacy that is as large as the life he lived. He will be remembered for generations to come as an innovative businessman and generous philanthropist. His good works will long stand as a testament to what can be achieved when the muscle of hard work is combined with the backbone of integrity.

The grandson of an Italian immigrant, George Graziadio spent his childhood watching his father at work. An independent insurance and real estate broker who handled real estate auctions, the senior Graziadio gave his son an early taste of how the business world functioned. The work ethic his father demonstrated led the young Graziadio to pursue all endeavors with great tenacity and determination, matched with finely tuned negotiating skills. That spirit and talent ultimately helped him launch one of the nation's most successful independent business banks, Imperial Bank, which later merged with Comerica Bank.

Graziadio originally worked in real estate, starting Commerce Realty Company, and later added insurance and brokerage services. Years after meeting his wife, Reva, and raising their three children, Graziadio met a building contractor by the name of George Eltinge. The "Two Georges" became a formidable business alliance. The duo established Eltinge and Graziadio Development Company and eventually came to develop more than 100 shopping centers in 21 states. In 1962, the bank they had been doing business with was taken over by new management, prompting Graziadio and Eltinge to take a professional leap of faith. They simply opened their own bank, which was later to become the successful Imperial Bank.

When asked why he had chosen "TNT" as his motto, Graziadio replied, "Time has always been precious to me. I came to realize that the biggest thief of time is procrastination."

And if he had been given more time on this earth, he no doubt would have continued a life of formidable successes and expansive generosity. Graziadio was honored by many institutions for his gifts and his accomplishments. "I see opportunities everywhere," Graziadio said. "They are like sunsets--if you don't look quickly, they may be gone."

A generous philanthropist and tireless community activist, Graziadio was one of Pepperdine University's chief benefactors. The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine was named in his honor in 1996. "You earn your living by working, you earn your life by giving," he said.

In May, George and Reva walked parts of a 52-acre site in the hills above Pepperdine's Malibu campus where the University is building the new Graziadio Executive Center.

His commitment to Pepperdine was a major priority in his life. He was especially proud that the Graziadio School's Executive and Fully Employed M.B.A. programs are ranked among the top 20 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and that the Graziadio School's Executive M.B.A. is ranked number one in the world for teaching ethics, according to BusinessWeek.

Higher education wasn't the only subject of his intense focus and generosity. Graziadio was a member of and/or honored by such institutions as the Torrance Memorial Medical Center Health Care Foundation, which houses the Graziadio Radiology Center; the National Italian America Foundation; the Sons of Italy in America; the 20-30 Clubs; the B'nai B'rith Foundation; the governor's California Italian-American Task Force; and the World Council of Young Men's Service Clubs.

He was a recipient of the Albert Schweitzer Leadership Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the President's "E" Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Humanitarian Award from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Pepperdine University's honorary doctor of laws degree, and the Grande Ufficiale Award in the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy. More recently, in April 2002, Graziadio received the prestigious Horatio Alger Award.

Graziadio admitted more than once that be was constantly driven to do more and to always do it better.

But like the meaning of his surname, Graziadio--"thanks be to God"--George Graziadio was a blessing to the family he loved, the institutions he supported, and the friends he leaves behind.

The Graziadio Family asks that gifts in memory of George Graziadio may be made to Torrance Memorial Home Health and Hospice, 3330 Lomita Boulevard, Torrance, California 90505 or to Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, California 90263-4898

A Celebration of the Life of George Graziadio has been scheduled for 12:00 noon on Tuesday. June 18, at the Pepperdine University Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, California. For details please call 310-506-4448. Visitors may also send condolences to the family through this site:

http://www.bschool.pepperdine.edu/media/graziadio.html